​After retiring from the University of Minnesota, the Murphys decided to move to a desert climate and chose Corrales, New Mexico. They had studied many passive solar home plans and knew this is what they wanted. Enamored by Southwestern homes and wanted their Sunlight home to be a contemporary version of the traditional adobe style. With a stunning east view of New Mexico's Sandia Mountains and a strong interest in passive solar, their home was designed with many east and south windows.

Knowing they'd have regular guests, especially in the winter, they decided on a guest room with a private entrance, separated from the rest of the home by a sun hall. Guests can come and go easily and have their privacy. At other times, the guest room is the music room where the sounds of a cello fill the air!

In their great room the kitchen is the hub, with guest seating at the kitchen bar so guests can entertain the cooks while they work. Their master bedroom has a small office off to the side and the master bath has an outside door out to an cozy patio surrounded by an 8 foot wall that provides privacy for their OUTDOOR SHOWER!